Autumn leaves are like snowflakes, or people. Each one is unique.    Each one has its own shape and beauty. I am amazed by the infinite combinations of patterns and colour.  Every year. PS. In other news, if you have been following the instagram feed on the right, you may have noticed that Jem has been in Athens for a work trip.  Today they started a general strike, lucky for Jem he got out of the central square before protesters and...

Every year  I have a wild time on the 20th September.  Thing is, according to the Latvian calendar, today is my name day. Latvians (and lots of other cultures, as far as I know) celebrate different names on different days of the year.  Everyone knows who's name day it is each day - probably because they have calendars on the back of the toilet door to remind them - and people make sure that they congratulate each Janis, Ieva, Mara, Peteris or whoever on the appropriate day....

This must be the year for "the little tree who could".  First cherries, then apples.  Lordy, lordy - the little apple tree we planted a couple of years ago, is going completely BANANAS!  (I mean, like bananas-crazy, not bananas-the fruit).  Just got back from a weekend in the country with two huge baskets full of gorgeous, tangy, crispy rose apples I picked off the tree.  Only problem is, what to do with them all?  I have a few plastic bags full of windfall apples...

Do you see those ripe figs I picked up at the supermarket the other day?  Aaamaaaaazing.  Made me think of how far this country has come, shopping-wise, in the last few years.  When we first moved, the situation was dire, and we had friends and relations bring us all manner of substances from overseas. Most things were not heart-stoppingly important - just those little things that you miss when you don't have them.  Really early on we couldn't get toasters in Latvia and got...

Dame Edna and Morrissey should have been Latvian teachers.  They would love the gladiolas - the most popular flower to give your teacher on the first day of school. I don't know why. The first day of school in Latvia is a big celebration for students of any grade or university, everyone gets all dressed up and has a party after assembly, then goes home! This one was an extra special beginning for us, because Mikus started grade one. We all woke up super early and super nervous.  Put...